gthomson

Just got a new helmet today and really happy with it. Modern looking and well made and when I unpacked it, I saw the plastic helmet visor and questioned whether I add it on. I have them on some of my other helmets and figure it probably has some value in shading against the sunlight in some way?

Do you keep them on or leave them off?

Gravel Rider

Is this a pole?

Iride01 

I use to have a helmet that came with one of those clip on visors. I used it initially. But that was at a time when my position on the bike was more upright. Through the years, I've gotten lower and lower in riding position and the visor interfered with my view down the road. I'd have to crane my head way up to see down the road and I'd get a sore neck. Removing the visor allowed for a much more comfortable head position and better view down the road.

So if you don't have issues with your neck because you are trying to see further down the road, then the visor is fine. Might help you miss a big bug at the last split second before it splats on your glasses.

I know you ask for a Yes/No. So my apologies, with me it depends.

epnnf

I always use a visor. idk if they keep the sun off your eyes, tho

OldTryGuy

yup for on all helmets

philbob57

The visor on my Bontrager Rally definitely helps shade my eyes when the sun is shining, which it almost always is when I ride. I'd like to get a lighter helmet, but those tend not to have visors.

shelbyfv

Road bike or mtb/hybrid? Visors are not commonly used with a drop bar position because they can block your vision. There's no law against it though, if that's what suits you.

OldRailfan

I have two with visors and one without.
Since I would have to wear BIG sunglasses over my prescription glasses I really like the visors on sunny days.
If the light gets too dim I can always turn the visors upside down.
Suits me well.

PS both the DeVinci and the Mud Adder have XC geometry, haven't been out on the road bike at all this season.
Speaking of which.




Our Okanagan Rail Trail was almost deserted.




Fall is on the way and the bear scat all over the place is just a reminder.

gthomson

A poll? sure, where do you stand? I just notice that most of the pro riders and the wannabes don't use them. I ride everything - modern road bike, vintage road bikes and an old mtn. bike. I've never really noticed the visor obstructing my vision when I'm down in the drop bars, but I don't spend a lot of time down there.

Rolla

Hate 'em. I'd much rather wear a cap with a short brim under my helmet if I need the sunshade.

Gonzo Bob

I have only one helmet and it is a "road" helmet with no visor. But if I had a second helmet with a visor, I'd keep it on and use it for mountain biking. That's because I usually use rose-colored or even clear lenses when riding the MTB, since a lot of the trails I ride are in wooded areas and are in the shade a lot. But I don't live right next to the trails and need to ride a few miles on the streets to get to them and that's where a visor would come in handy.

Cougrrcj

My older helmet (6yrs or so) does not have a visor, but my newer one (2yrs old) came with one.

I have NOT fitted the visor to my newer helmet because it doesn't fit my riding style of a more upright riding position, AND I don't ride in adverse weather conditions. IF I were to ride in rain, I'd appreciate the visor. Otherwise, I always wear polarized sunglasses to shade the eyes...

79pmooney

I always use prescription eyeglasses, clear or sunglasses. Visors make life far better keeping sunlight and glare out from inside the glasses. They also form a great place to hang a mirror (though I make custom brackets for them).

I ride close to my old racing position and often spend long stretches in the drops without much issue.

downtube42

Conventional thinking is, MTB yes, road no. Personally I find the helmet visor too high to be of much value.

I find a cycling cap under the helmet more useful. Usually I have the brim flipped up for maximum field of view. If it's raining, or the sun is in my eyes, or oncoming headlights are blinding, I'll flip the brim down.

OldRailfan

Sorry, perhaps I'm confused (yes, it happens); the visor helmet I bought looks like this.




As mentioned if the light gets dim, reverse the visor to the "up position", the same magnets will hold it out of the way.

Gonzo Bob

Yep, you've got a visor helmet. But some cycling terminology doesn't make sense (e.g. why do we "clip in" to clipless pedals?). So this is also a visor helmet (even though, to me, it's a cycling helmet with a brim)...

Fendertele

No. Obstructed vision on the road bike.

flangehead

Yes. Gives me a mount for my mirror. Most of my riding is for transportation.

I operate opposite to conventional wisdom; I take off my mirror when I go through brush so I don’t lose it. So for me the brim is for operating on the road.

Phil_gretz

For a road helmets, my answer is "no". I do ride with a cycling cap beneath, so there's a convenient cap visor that I can flip up for most riding and flip down when the sun angle necessitates it.

For my mountain helmets, my answer is "yes". Usually a mtb visor is more robust or integral to the helmet, so I don't mess with removing it. And I don't wear a cycling cap beneath my mtb helmet, but might wear some kind of cap appropriate to the weather.

andrewclaus

I like them for a bit more protection from sun, but just a bit. I'd rather have it than not. I also use a mirror attached to it, though I could adapt if the visor broke off, which has happened.

At the equinoxes, like last week, the little visor is pretty much worthless for east-west riding at sunrise and sunset. I spend more time watching the mirror making sure motorists can see me in the glare. And there are times I can use the mirror as a tiny visor.

Skullo 

I never use them. I had two herniated discs in my neck and had them fused years ago. If I ride in the drops very long , looking up the he road, it’s not pleasant, as stiffness can last for days.
I wear prescription wrap around sunglasses and a cycling cap if caught in rain. I never ride in rain on purpose, unless I am on a tour.

pdlamb

Even though I mostly ride drop bars, I find the visor was much better at blocking sun glare than a cycling cap. (And I never had problems blocking my view of the road, but YMMV.) A visor was also great for commuting, since I could usually tilt my head down and keep most of the rain off the top of my glasses. (Unless it was raining too hard or I rode too long.)

So yes, I prefer a helmet with a visor (Gonzo Bob style), but mine broke off and the rest of the helmet is still good, so ...

BobsPoprad

Used not to...until I realized it actually helps keeping the sun out of eyes. Yep, doesn't look as cool, but I'm in the 50+ forum, so who cares, right?

OldRailfan

I didn't care long before I turned 50+.
All that fashion stuff reminds me of good old Switzerland in the 60s, didn't matter how good a cyclist, skier, skater etc. if you didn't have the right gear ..... oh boy.
On my first visit back in the "Old country" ('73) my buddy (6ft 6") wanted to go for a run for old times sake, he picked the course and off we went. He was very surprised when "little me" left him in the dust on the homestretch.

Attire simply didn't count for anything.

fooferdoggie 

I was hoping they would help in the rain to keep my glasses dry. but since most are tinted that did not work or not tinted at night they caused a lot of glare. they are good to keep the bugs out of your eyes.